The central government’s clarification came after controversy erupted over the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) order to pre-install cyber security app ‘Sanchar Sathi’ on all mobile phones. Jyotiraditya Scindia said that this is not compulsory. If the user wants, he can delete it.
Sanchar Saathi App: Amidst the huge uproar over the Department of Telecommunications’ order to pre-install ‘Sanchar Sathi’ app in all phones sold in India, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has given a clarification. He has clearly said that if mobile phone users do not want to use it, then they will have the option to delete this app.
Sanchar Saathi App Not Compulsory
Responding to media queries on the new instructions, Scindia said, “Sanchar Sathi app is not compulsory. If you want to keep it in your phone, then keep it. If you want to delete it, then delete it. It is our duty to make everyone aware about this app. For example, when you buy a phone, many apps come pre-installed. Google Maps also comes. Now, if you do not want to use Google Maps, then delete it.”
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It is important to remove misconceptions about Sanchar Sathi app.
Explaining the reason behind the government’s instructions to mobile phone manufacturing companies, Jyotiraditya Scindia said, we are trying to clear the misconceptions spread about the Sanchar Sathi app, because it is a matter of customer safety. If you don’t want to register it, don’t. But not everyone in the country still knows that there is an app to protect them from fraud. Therefore it is our responsibility to spread this information.
Opposition expressed suspicion of espionage
Let us tell you that Congress has raised the issue of possible privacy risk due to the instructions of the Center to the phone makers. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal has said that this step is more than unconstitutional. He said on X, the right to privacy is an essential part of the fundamental right to life and liberty given in Article 21 of the Constitution. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called Sanchar Sathi a “snooping app”. He said, it’s funny. Citizens have the right to privacy. It’s not just about spying on telephones. Overall, they are turning this country into a dictatorship in every way.” Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the Centre’s move is “another BIG BOSS surveillance moment”. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram criticized the government, saying they want to spy on our private photos and videos.
We cannot show the truth to those who do not want to see it.
Responding to the opposition’s criticism, Scindia said, the opposition is eagerly looking for an issue. It is the responsibility of the government to remove misconceptions. That’s what I’m doing. The opposition is asking us how we will stop fraud and when we are giving Sanchar Saathi to the common citizen, they are saying that it (spying tool) is Pegasus. We cannot show the truth to those who do not want to see it.